Cats are magical critters. Their independence and intelligence can create such a fun-filled house pet experience. But, it’s not so simple to take proper care of a cat. Continue reading to learn some excellent cat care tips so that you can raise a happy and healthy cat.

You need to take your pet to the vet on a regular basis. Cats need yearly shots and overall health assessments. Try to keep the same vet during the life of your pet. This is because this person will know your cat and the history of the animal.

TIP! Don’t let your cats play with drape cords. Whenever cats jump on these cords, they might get tangled up in them.

Cats often view small spaces as a fun challenge. If they have a collar on, this can be dangerous. A breakaway collar is a good option since it will break if your cat pulls on it. This could save your cat’s life!

If your cat is getting older, you can increase it’s comfort by placing its bed over a heated tile. Use a 12″ terra cotta tile and heat it by putting it in a 200ºF oven for 20 minutes. Then, wrap this up into a towel and place it underneath your cat’s bed. Change it every couple of hours if desired.

You should get your cat a tagged collar, even if it is not legally required. Cats sometimes travel a bit when outside, and a tag prevents any mishaps due to your cat being lost. The tag should contain at least the cat’s name and your contact information.

TIP! Check out the shelter when adopting a cat. Shelters around the country are overflowing, and the cats there need more humans to help.

It’s very important to get your cat microchipped. One day, your indoor cat might leave through an open door or get outside through an open window. Cat collars are a great thing to have in case your cat gets lost, but they also pose a risk if they get caught on something. Microchips are as tiny as a piece of rice and will tell people where the cat belongs. Most vets and animal shelters will have a microchip scanner and because it’s under the animal’s skin it can never become lost.

Cats can have nocturnal tendencies. The result is that cats prefer to be more active during the night. If your cats keep you up late at night, you should close the bedroom door. This will stop them from bothering you at night, and playing with your feet beneath the covers.

Always provide your feline with special attention and affection. They give us love, and we need to return it to them. Like people, cats like to socialize and need to feel like they’re an essential part of your life. They want to feel like a contented and satisfied member of the family.

TIP! Regular visits to the vet will make sure that you cat is as healthy as he can be. They need a check-up one time a year, or more if they require certain shots.

If your cat is male, understand that he could develop crystals inside his urine, which can be very painful to him. Therefore, prevent this issue from occurring in the first place by feeding your cat the right type of food. Passing such crystals is a painful experience for your cat, and your wallet isn’t going to enjoy the vet bill. Look for foods that are low in magnesium for your cat. This means you should pay attention to labels on food. Products including fish have a higher magnesium content then poultry based products.

If you make time to learn about proper care, cats can be great pets. Refer to the tips included here often. Once you use the things you’ve learned you’ll have a feline friend that is happy and has a great life.